As a newbie i need some info & i believe help to purchase the right gear that i "think" i need. So a UHF radio? I know there are 100s of them but what would suit my interests with the shoreline in sight! do i need flares etc. These are safety items but if ive missed one or two let me know, getting ready for summer!!

from a comms point of view a good IP rated VHF is a must. need to consider that when you are really in the s**t you are not likely to be comfortably sitting on your upright yak on a calm sea with all the time in the world! having been in a few curly situations I discount a cellphone (even in a waterproof case) as a suitable comms backup in these cases, but better than nothing. as soon as you can afford it, look at a PLB. every yakker should be striving for this option, imo. flares are much cheaper alternative in the interim with inherent limitations and deployment issues if in the water!
when I first started out yakking, having had a marine background and deep respect for the ocean, I focussed a great deal on safety comms. i kitted up with flares (parachute, hand and smoke), sea dye, helix mirror, wolf whistle, a drogue, very good vhf and i had my cellphone in a waterproof case. a bit OTT i guess, but a little respect doesn't hurt. I have now ditched most of these in favour of a PLB and VHF unless i'm going a long way off shore. PM me if you want more info on this important topic.